The Avengers: Age Of Ultron Rumors Suggest Elizabeth Olsen Could Play Scarlet Witch

Joss Whedon's The Avengers: Age of Ultron will likely introduce at least a few new characters - both super and not - to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but for now most of the casting attention has been on the brother-sister duo Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Ever since the characters were teased by the writer/director in May, fans around the world have speculated wildly about potential actors that could fill the parts. But while it's been confirmed that Kick-Ass star Aaron Johnson has had meetings about playing the male half of the duo, we have been mostly in the dark in regards to the casting of his character's sibling. Early on it was rumored that Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan was being considered for the part, but apparently those talks (if they were real to begin with) have fallen through, and now Marvel Studios has reportedly set its eyes on another potential star: Elizabeth Olsen.

Unnamed sources have told the folks over at Bleeding Cool that Ronan actually passed on the role of Scarlet Witch - real name Wanda Maximoff - and that now they've moved on to their second choice. The site doesn't say why the Irish actress turned down the part, but it could very well be news that Olsen would be happy to hear. The story adds that whoever ends up playing the part will "need to adopt a "European" accent for the role," but given the Sundance starlet impressive track record I can't imagine that's too much to ask.

As we've previously mentioned, The Avengers: Age of Ultron is going to have to make some considerable changes to the character of Scarlet Witch if the studio wants to avoid being sued by 20th Century Fox. While Marvel does have the rights to use the character in a live-action film, they're not allowed to say that she is a) the daughter of Magneto (the supervillain from the X-Men comics and films) or b) a mutant. Obviously this may make it a little bit difficult to explain her powers - she has the ability to cast hexes and alter reality - but it's a task that we can trust in Whedon's hands.

For those unfamiliar with her, Olsen first burst on the scene during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, where she earned rave reviews for her performances in the cult drama Martha Marcy May Marlene and the thriller Silent House. She recently completed work on director Gareth Edwards' new Godzilla movie, which will be out in 2014, but next she will be seen starring alongside Josh Brolin, Samuel L. Jackson and Sharlto Copley in Spike Lee's Oldboy remake. That movie will be out on November 27th, and you can watch the first trailer below.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron, meanwhile, will be starting production at the beginning of next year and is scheduled to be released on May 1, 2015.